PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA CALLS FOR DIGITISATION TO ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

 

03 October 2024

President Hakainde Hichilema has called for African countries to invest in digitisation which he says will accelerate development and uplift the lives of people.

President Hichilema says digital platforms reduce the cost of doing business and make life easy.

Speaking when he officially opened the 2024 Digital Government Africa Summit in Chongwe District this morning, President Hichilema said digitisation also promotes trade and integration among African countries.

President Hichilema said digital tools offer emerse opportunities for African countries to better serve their citizens and grow their economies.

The Head of State said digitisation must be embraced as it is the sure way of improving people’s lives and make governments work.

And Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati said the country has made progress in setting up an Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellency in Lusaka and the formulation of the AI strategy.

Mr. Mutati said his Ministry is making progress in realizing the two goals by collaborating with Google and the Tony Blair Institute to promote digitisation.

Meanwhile, Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Hon. Jack Mwiimbu has revealed that 1.5 million Zambians have been captured on the Integrated National Registration Information System (INRIS).

Mr. Mwiimbu said government is implementing INRIS in order to enhance security, prevent fraud and reduce costs.

Mr. Mwiimbu also revealed that 80% of records in the Ministry have now been digitized from the manual records.

And Visa Inc. has announced a $1 billion investment in Africa to promote financial inclusion.

Visa Senior Vice President and Group Head for Africa Aida Diarra said the money is meant to sustain and improve financial inclusion on the continent.

Ms. Diarra said Africa needs $33 billion in order for a substantial percentage of the continent’s population to be included in the financial sector.

Meanwhile, Senator Garba Maidoki of Nigeria has revealed that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in his country has created 2.5 million jobs.

Senator Maidoki says Nigeria has 250 fintechs which contribute $500 billion annually to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

He has called on African countries to provide an enabling environment for the ICT sector to thrive and create development.

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